1. Teaching Grammar with the Toolbox INTUIT Closing conference 30 January 2008 Anne-Marie van Hoof Tilburg University

2. Contents Results of previous pilot –Focus on use of Ellips New pilot –Course –Set up Results/Evaluation –Teacher experience –Student evaluation

3. First Pilot Use of Toolbox (1 st version) outside class Use of Ellips Results:

4. New Pilot Course Grammar course for weak students 16.45 – 18.30 12 weeks Previously: Grammar topic every week Use of book containing information & exercises Problems: Student motivation Everybody doing the same exercises at the same time Hardly any time spent on Ellips

5. New set-up 1 hr grammar instruction 1 hr ‘working with the Toolbox’ in computer rooms Advantages: Students can work at their own pace Students can choose exercises Computer gives instant feedback Teacher can help students one-on-one Toolbox offers a variety of practice materials

6. Experience Positive: Programmes actively used in class, esp. –Ellips –Englishpage.com Students asked a lot of questions Problems with exercises solved on the spot Drawbacks: Checking e-mail Talking to each other Time of the day

7. Toolbox in class Toolbox use in class Graph: Number of Toolbox hits in lessons (one group)

8. Homework?? Did they work with the Toolbox outside the lessons? Graph: Number of Toolbox hits between lessons (one group)

9. General Usage Number of total hits (one group)

10. Survey

11. Conclusions The Toolbox: Is user-friendly & well-structured Is a good tool for guided self-study –In independent group not used as often

12. Conclusions The Toolbox: Is user-friendly & well-structured Is a good tool for guided self-study –In independent group not used as often Cannot be used completely without a book Can be a challenging alternative in class